Nucleobindin-2 Promotes the Growth and Invasion of Glioblastoma

Nucleobindin-2/nesfatin-1 enhances the cell proliferation, migration, invasion and epithelial-mesenchymal transition in gastric carcinoma

Nesfatin-1, a newly discovered adipokine derived from nucleobindin-2 (NUCB2), has been described as a new prognostic marker in cancers. This study aimed to explore the functional role of NUCB2/nesfatin-1 in the cell proliferation, migration and invasion in gastric carcinoma (GC). The expressions of NUCB2/nesfatin-1 in GC tissues and normal adjacent tissues (NATs) were compared, and the effect of inhibition of NUCB2/nesfatin-1 on the cell proliferation, migration, invasion and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in GC cell line SGC-7901 was investigated. Cell transfection was conducted to inhibit NUCB2/nesfatin-1 by short hairpin RNA. Cell proliferation, migration and invasion abilities were determined using cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8), 5-ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine (EdU), wound healing and transwell assays, respectively. The expressions of EMT markers E-Cadherin and N-Cadherin were determined using western blotting. The expression of NUCB2/nesfatin-1 protein in GC tissues was significantly increased compared with that in NATs. Consistently, the serum concentrations of NUCB2/nesfatin-1 were significantly higher in patients with GC as compared with those in the control group. Moreover, the results of CCK-8 assay and EdU assay indicated that knockdown of NUCB2/nesfatin-1 could markedly decrease SGC-7901 proliferation. Furthermore, the results of wound healing assay and transwell assay demonstrated that knockdown of NUCB2/nesfatin-1 significantly suppressed SGC-7901 migration and invasion abilities. Additionally, knockdown of NUCB2/nesfatin-1 decreased the expressions of N-Cadherin and increased the expressions of E-Cadherin in SGC-7901 cells. These findings suggest that knockdown of NUCB2/nesfatin-1 suppressed the proliferation, migration, invasion and EMT of SGC-7901 cells, suggesting a potentially promising therapeutic target for GC.

Expression of NUCB2/NESF-1 in Breast Cancer Cells

Recently, the expression of NUCB2/NESF-1 has been linked to tumor development. We report NUCB2/NESF-1 expression and its relation to clinicopathological parameters in breast cancer cells. Immunohistochemical reactions were conducted on 446 cases of invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC) and 36 cases of mastopathy. The expression of NUCB2/NESF-1 was also examined at the mRNA and protein levels in breast cancer cell lines. A statistically significant higher level of NUCB2/NESF-1 in IDC cells was noted compared to that in mastopathy samples. The level of NUCB2 expression in the cytoplasm of IDC cells decreased with the increasing degree of tumor malignancy (G). Higher NUCB2 expression was found in tumors with estrogen receptor (ER)-positive and progesterone receptor (PR)-positive phenotypes compared to that in estrogen-receptor-negative and progesterone-receptor-negative cases. Moreover, a higher expression was shown in ER(+) and PR(+) MCF-7 and T47D cell lines compared to that in triple-negative MDA-MB-468 and normal human breast epithelial cells. The analysis of the five-year survival rate indicated that a positive NUCB2/NESF-1 expression in tumor cells was also associated with longer patient survival. The study results suggest that NUCB2/NESF1 may play an important role in malignant transformation and may be a positive prognostic factor in IDC.

NUCB2: roles in physiology and pathology

Nucleobindin2 (NUCB2) is a member of nucleobindin family which was first found in the nucleus of the hypothalamus, and had a relationship in diet and energy homeostasis. Its location in normal tissues such as stomach and islet further confirms that it plays a vital role in the regulation of physiological functions of the body. Besides, NUCB2 participates in tumorigenesis through activating various signal-pathways, more and more studies indicate that NUCB2 might impact tumor progression by promoting or inhibiting proliferation, apoptosis, autophagy, metastasis, and invasion of tumor cells. In this review, we comprehensively stated NUCB2's expression and functions, and introduced the role of NUCB2 in physiology and pathology and its mechanism. What is more, pointed out the potential direction of future research.

Nucleobindin-2/Nesfatin-1-A New Cancer Related Molecule?

Cancer is a heterogeneous disease, and even tumors with similar clinicopathological characteristics show different biology, behavior, and treatment responses. As a result, there is an urgent need to define new prognostic and predictive markers to make treatment options more personalized. According to the latest findings, nucleobindin-2/nesfatin-1 (NUCB2/NESF-1) is an important factor in cancer development and progression. Nucleobindin-2 is a precursor protein of nesfatin-1. As NUCB2 and nesfatin-1 are colocalized in each tissue, their expression is often analyzed together as NUCB2. The metabolic function of NUCB2/NESF-1 is related to food intake, glucose metabolism, and the regulation of immune, cardiovascular and endocrine systems. Recently, it has been demonstrated that high expression of NUCB2/NESF-1 is associated with poor outcomes and promotes cell proliferation, migration, and invasion in, e.g., breast, colon, prostate, endometrial, thyroid, bladder cancers, or glioblastoma. Interestingly, nesfatin-1 is also considered an inhibitor of the proliferation of human adrenocortical carcinoma and ovarian epithelial carcinoma cells. These conflicting results make NUCB2/NESF-1 an interesting target of study in the context of cancer progression. The present review is the first to describe NUCB2/NESF-1 as a new prognostic and predictive marker in cancers.

The Multifaceted Nature of Nucleobindin-2 in Carcinogenesis

Nucb2 is a multifunctional protein associated with a variety of biological processes. Multiple studies have revealed that Nucb2, and its derivative nesfatin-1, are involved in carcinogenesis. Interestingly, the role of Nucb2/nesfatin-1 in tumorigenesis seems to be dual-both pro-metastatic and anti-metastatic. The implication of Nucb2/nesfatin-1 in carcinogenesis seems to be tissue dependent. Herein, we review the role of Nucb2/nesfatin-1 in both carcinogenesis and the apoptosis process, and we also highlight the multifaceted nature of Nucb2/nesfatin-1.